SVR 09: THQ&A (09.12.08)

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Cory Ledesma is here to answer all your questions about the next WWE game.

By Greg Miller

Fall's a pretty great time of year. Yeah, yeah -- there are all those leaves changing colors, the return of football, and pumpkins or whatever -- but what the fall really means is that it's wrestling game season.

This year's no different at IGN. The SmackDown Countdown (where we debut the SVR roster one character at a time) is in full effect, we've already got our first Friday Fight (a full SVR match fans choose) in the books, and now it's time for the first THQ&A. THQ Senior Creative Manager Cory Ledesma has selected a number of IGN reader questions about SVR 09 and answered them in full.

Want to get in on the action? Want to vote on the new match we feature on Friday Fights? Want to ask Cory a question? You'll need to start checking the IGN SmackDown board then, brutha.

Until then, enjoy this fan-driven interview, but keep in mind reader questions have not been edited so that they may serve as catalyst to scare kids back into the classroom.

The THQ&A

TwistedSwanton: Now in this latest video of create a finisher a few seconds before it goes to it we see the create menu. Now is there no create a stable in this years game or is it somewhere else?

Cory Ledesma: Create-A-Stable is indeed still in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. However, it is no longer under the Create Menu, and we have changed the name of it to "Team Management." We will still have all the great features that were found in Create-A-Stable from past iterations of the game.

fl305: Is GM mode in?

Cory Ledesma: The GM mode is not in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. We decided to go in a brand new and exciting direction. Although the GM mode has been in the game for the last three years, we wanted to offer a new and exciting mode that we believe offers more of what our WWE fans are looking for. This new mode, however, does offer some of the same features found in GM mode, but we are presenting everything in a whole new way.

fl305: Are there more than 8 divas this year?

Cory Ledesma: I don't want to spoil the Superstar Countdown, so I would rather not reveal it just now. But I can tell you that we have a huge roster this year. Please check daily to see who is announced next.

fl305: Are there Classic arenas as unlockables?

Cory Ledesma: Yes, we do have a special unlockable arena this year, but I don't want to give out spoilers. You are going to have to wait until someone else spoils it for you or to pick up WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 and check it for yourself.

TwistedSwanton: Will there be alternate attires in this years game?

Momentum boost? Taker doesn't need one.

Cory Ledesma: Yes, indeed. We have about eight alternate attires in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. All of these are unlockables in our Road To WrestleMania mode.

Phoenixxx73: Do researchers from THQ/Yukes visit these boards as part of their research into what to add or remove for the next game?

Cory Ledesma: We absolutely do! I can say with full honesty that all of our designers are frequent visitors to the IGN message boards. This is one of our best resources and the best way to hear directly from the fans. I occasionally read posts from people who doubt we are looking, but we definitely are. I see your posts about us!

619rko: Will the PS2 version have online? Will the PS2 version include everything that the next gen consoles have (besides the graphics)?

Cory Ledesma: Unfortunately, we are not supporting online play for the PlayStation 2 this year. The PS2 version does include almost every single feature from the next gen consoles. As we continue to roll out the rest of our features, we will let you know which consoles each feature will be supported on.